Lin Da Ma Lei Cha @ Amoy FC - Thunder tea rice with add-ons such as meatballs and lava eggs

Hakka thunder tea rice, or lei cha, has been enjoying a wave of popularity in recent years, inspiring younger hawkers to come up with their own versions of the healthy grain bowl. Lin Da Ma Lei Cha similarly has its own recipes, but also a dish I'd not heard of before – lei cha noodles. I also really appreciate that their bilingual menu is clear and concise, making it a cinch for even the uninitiated to order from. If only more hawkers would do the same…
 

There are both white and brown rice options at Lin Da Ma Lei Cha and you can add on meatballs, minced meat tofu or lava eggs for more protein. Taste-wise, it's a fairly classic, traditional thunder tea rice. What I really like is that it's very well-balanced, not too bland like some are. The different types of vegetables mixed with beancurd and peanuts give it a nice blend of textures and flavours. 

A light drizzle of oil gave it a much-needed unctuousness without making it too greasy. The soup itself was also really nicely balanced, not too astringent, with a hint of creaminess possibly from ground peanuts.  

I was pleasantly surprised by their lei cha noodles ($4), which were served cold. Covered in "Chinese pesto" and served with shredded cucumber and a lava egg, it's a nice refreshing meal for a hot afternoon, light enough that it won't induce a food coma.